#HURDLEMOMENT: So You Want To Start A Podcast

An episode of Hurdle

Weekly doses inspiration from badass humans who got through tough times, leaning into wellness as an outlet. From top CEOs to average Joes, Hurdle brings you their stories, the lessons they learned, and hopefully gives you the push you need to live a healthier, happier, more motivated life.

More places to listen

I chatted all about injury in #hurdlemoment a few weeks back, but in today's episode I'm bringing in reinforcements. Meet Blake Dircksen: a physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments in Midtown Manhattan. We're focusing on how to navigate pain as a runner, and the best way to handle the most common injuries. Spoiler alert: You can often run through it, he says. We also rap on the benefits of cross-training and when is the RIGHT time to seek help when you're feeling like something's off.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | Had the best time at last week's run co-hosted by WOLACO women. New to the brand? Check out their Walker Crop (but really, I have it in three colors). And if you're an NYC local, click to be kept in the loop on WOLACO Wednesday, their weekly free workout series.

These days, Betina Gozo makes a living with a side of sweat as a Nike Master Trainer. But not all that long ago, the Philippines-born bombshell was playing bass in a rock band. In episode 72, we talk about the workout class that changed her life entirely (and ultimately, her career path), and how she went from hardly being able to do exercises with 5-pound dumbbells to crushing barbell-friendly workouts on the Nike Training Club app. We also talk about one of the hardest parts of adulting — balancing a career and your personal life, and the tough decisions she made after spending some time cell phone free on a work trip.
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@betinagozo
@dancewithmweyne
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Trellis Health | LIVE Podcast with Aya Kanai, Hearst Chief Fashion Director; September 17, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. {Free tickets here}
Dance with Mweyne | Donate and learn more about Betina’s foundation here.

We all have bad runs. How you handle them mid-stride can make all the difference between quitting and sticking it out. In today’s #hurdlemoment — the first of a series this September dedicated to the slew of your running Qs — I talk about three strategies I use to stick out a tough go. Three. Simple. Tricks.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE | WOLACO You've been asking for a run meet-up, and here we go! I'm teaming up with NYC-based activewear brand WOLACO to host a ladies-only run at 6:30 p.m. September 5 in collaboration with my friends at Charley St. The run kicks off and ends at 6:30 p.m. at Charley St. (41 Kenmare), where we’ll indulge in some great grub post-sweat. RSVP at this link, and share with a friend! Also, check out WOLACO.com and @wolacowomen on Instagram.

I feel pretty lucky that I’ve found my way into a career that I feel truly passionate about. David Thomas Tao feels the same way. But the journey the Harvard grad took to get to his current position at BarBend wasn’t exactly simple. In episode 71, the veteran journalist tells me about the #hurdlemoment he went through in Las Vegas that made him question his entire career. We chat about the importance of listening to your gut, slowing down, and trusting other people to do the things that they’re good at. We also geek out about strength training and talk about the value of sweatworking.
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@davidthomastao
@barbend
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.
UPCOMING
WOLACO Run | You've been asking for a run meet-up, and here we go! I'm teaming up with NYC-based activewear brand WOLACO to host a run on the evening of September 5 in collaboration with my friends at Charley St. We’ll meet at Charley St. (41 Kenmare) at 6:30 p.m., go for a 5K run, and return there afterward! RSVP at this link, and share with a friend! Also, check out WOLACO.com and @wolacowomen on Instagram.

I’m not trying to be negative. Rather, this week’s #hurdlemoment is all about identifying common reasons that we lack follow-through. When was the last time you had a goal that you let slip through your fingers? Could you have done something differently to impact the outcome? Well, there's good news: Failures happen to teach us something. Just like we have the opportunity to succeed and be better for it, same goes for failure. Chin up, Hurdlers; there’s a whole lot of winning to be done.
SOCIAL
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | WOLACO You've been asking for a run meet-up, and here we go! I'm teaming up with NYC-based activewear brand WOLACO to host a ladies-only run at 6:30 p.m. September 5 in collaboration with my friends at Charley St. The run kicks off at WOLACO HQ (73 Warren Street in Tribeca) and ends at Charley St. on Kenmare, where we’ll indulge in some great grub. RSVP at this link, and share with a friend! Also, check out WOLACO.com and @wolacowomen on Instagram.

Hurdle has been getting pretty personal lately and this week’s episode with Dr. Jen Esquer is no exception. Over the past few years, everything has changed for the physical therapist known as @docjenfit to her 545K+ followers on social media. She exited a full-time job at a Santa Monica rehab facility to pursue private clients, work on online programming, and travel the world doing public speaking. Then, late last year Jen was blindsided by infidelity, which moved her to make the difficult decision to walk away from a long term relationship that wasn't serving her anymore.
In episode 70, she tells me about how this #hurdlemoment turned her world upside-down, and how she took ownership of the situation rather than playing the victim. We get real honest about how post-breakup strategies helped her cope with heartache, and she sheds some light on how stress can manifest itself as physical pain. She also offers up some essential advice that will help you move better, including a simple exercise that you can perform in less than 5 minutes a day.
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@docjenfit
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.
UPCOMING | WOLACO RUN You've been asking for a run meet-up, and here we go! I'm teaming up with NYC-based activewear brand WOLACO to host a run on the evening of September 5 in collaboration with my friends at Charley St. More information to come, soon! In the meantime, RSVP at this link, and share with a friend! Also, check out WOLACO.com and @wolacowomen on Instagram.

I was walking down the street the other day with Nike master trainer Kirsty Godso when we got on the topic of negative self-talk. Kirsty told me she's been having some tough conversations with herself about her body, and to be honest — I've been feeling the same way. Fact: Everyone is different, and negative self-talk doesn't discriminate. In today's episode, I sit down with Kirsty to have a super vulnerable, honest conversation about how to shift the voices inside our head from not-the-best to positive. We talk about the importance of having an "internal code of conduct," and offer up best-practice tips to being a happier, healthier you.
SOCIAL
@kirstygodso
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | WOLACO You've been asking for a run meet-up, and here we go! I'm teaming up with NYC-based activewear brand WOLACO to host a run on the evening of September 5 in collaboration with my friends at Charley St. More information to come, soon! In the meantime, RSVP at this link, and share with a friend! Also, check out WOLACO.com and @wolacowomen on Instagram.

Autumn Calabrese is a powerhouse. As a personal trainer who found fame crafting workouts and nutrition programming for Beachbody, Autumn once thought she’d grow up to be a dancer. When injury got her down and a college dance master dissuaded her from pursuing her dancing dreams — she made lemonade out of lemons and pivoted to a new passion: Fitness.
In episode 69, the mega-trainer tells me all about her journey including the bumps, bruises, and hurdles that have made her who she is today. We talk about the most rewarding (and scary!) parts of being a trainer to millions around the globe, and she gives me the lowdown on what it was like filming E!’s Revenge Body.
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@autumncalabrese
@beachbody
@revengebody
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

There are so many people, things, experiences and obligations that flux with our energy on the regular. If you’re not careful, you could be giving too much of yourself to something (or someone!) that doesn’t deserve it — and sometimes, unknowingly. In today’s episode, I squad up with Nike master trainer Kirsty Godso to chat about empowerment, offer up some best-practice tips for protecting your energy (and your sanity), and we (no surprise here) love on some Drake lyrics for the ultimate advice.
SOCIAL
@hurdlepodcast
@kirstygodso
@emilyabbate
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | WOLACO wants to give your ladies the protection they deserve with a sweet deal on their Walker Crop Top. Available in four different colorways (I’m a huge fan of the Bowery Slate myself), this is perfect for Spin, yoga, or HIIT classes. Use the code “Hurdle40” at checkout to snag yours today, and check them out at WOLACO.com and at @wolacowomen on Instagram.

Jillian Michaels is a household name in the fitness industry, and she welcomed me into her home in Malibu with open arms. Surreal? A little bit. We all watched her for years on The Biggest Loser, and in today’s episode Jillian and I talk about what life was like long before making it to prime time on NBC. She tells me about being overweight as a pre-teen, weighing about 175 pounds at age 12, and how taking up karate saved her life and helped her to develop essential confidence. We talk about the rollercoaster of emotions that came with coming out and her big goal of being the best mom she can be to her two kids. She fills me in on the fun projects that she’s working on now and offers up some really excellent career advice that you’ve just gotta hear.
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@jillianmichaels
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
My Fitness by Jillian Michaels app
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Being on the injured list sucks. In today's #hurdlemoment, I talk about the strategies that worked for me when I've had to take a step back in the past, the mental side of being down and out, and how to come back feeling better than you did before.
SOCIAL
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE | WOLACO was named the go-to brand for exercising on the road by Travel and Leisure. They focus on the basics creating fashionable and fuss-free gear that actually makes your life and workouts that much easier. Check them out at WOLACO.com and DM them on Instagram @wolacowomen/@wolaco with the code "HURDLE" to redeem a FREE $20 gift card.

Not all that long ago, CrossFit’s 3x “Fittest Woman On Earth” wasn’t working out at all. In 2011, she was enrolled in the nursing program at Queensland University of Technology, and felt as though she was in a total rut. “I had gained weight, I didn’t feel like I was doing what I wanted to do.” In this repost of episode 52, I sit down with Tia-Clair Toomey for a refreshingly honest conversation about her rise to the top of one of the most fascinating sports there is (I might be a little biased). The Australian-born athlete tells me about the #hurdlemoment that had her depressed, and how getting into CrossFit helped her get through it. We talk diet, a typical day of training, and get real vulnerable about managing expectations and going after life’s biggest challenges. Plus: her trip to the Olympics, how to handle being a beginner, and just wait until you hear how much this woman can deadlift.
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@tiaclair1
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

In Los Angeles last week I had the opportunity to sit down with Nike master trainer Kirsty Godso and model Catherine Li to chat all about the ins and outs of being a runner. The good stuff. The tough stuff. The parts that make us excited to lace up day after day, and our reasons for why we started in the first place. Huge thanks to Nike for hosting us at their first-ever store, Blue Ribbon Sports, in honor of the global launch of their newest Joyride sneaker on August 15.
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@catieli
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate

For this week’s #hurdlemoment, I’m answering 10 listener questions off-the-cuff. No script. No planning. Just genuine honesty. From what I eat before a long run and my favorite Hurdle guests to the hardest part about putting out a podcast every week and how to get through a break-up. Have something else you want to ask? DM or email me, emily@hurdle.us.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | New women’s line is live, and I’m obsessed with their Walker Crop (but really, I have it in three colors). NYC local? Click to be kept in the loop on WOLACO Wednesday, their weekly free workout series.

There was a time in Matthew Morton’s life when he was smoking three packs of cigarettes and downing up to 10 Red Bulls a day. That’s when his friend and NYU classmate Conrad Sandelman challenged him to give up the energy drink for 30 days, swapping in matcha—a finely ground green tea powder—instead. Little did the duo know that experiment would change both of their lives forever. In episode 66, the founders behind NYC-born café Cha Cha Matcha tell me about the journey they took to Japan to create their own unique ceremonial-grade blend of the green powder, and what it’s like to be entrepreneurs at such a young age. We also chat funny hiring stories, the INSANE amount of money Matt’s saved by quitting smoking, and their big goals for the brand coming down the line.
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@chachamatcha
@matthewmorton
@conradsandelman
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Teaming up with trainer Betina Gozo in Los Angeles for this week’s #hurdlemoment, where we’re dishing on our top healthy travel suggestions. From how to avoid germs on the plane to strategies for smarter eating, there’s no reason your next vacation (or work trip!) has to completely derail positive progress. Plus: We offer up our favorite in-the-air skincare suggestions and rap about the best way to beat jet lag.
SOCIAL
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
@betinagozo
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | WOLACO was named the go-to brand for exercising on the road by Travel and Leisure. They focus on the basics creating fashionable and fuss-free gear that actually makes your life and workouts that much easier. Check them out at WOLACO.com and on Instagram @wolacowomen.

Nicole Centeno has always loved food. Even when she was working as a media buyer at Condé Nast and other big companies, she longed to turn her love for food into a full-time career. In episode 65, we chat about how she came to start Splendid Spoon, a ready-to-eat, plant-based meal delivery service that boasts an impressive menu of soups and smoothies. We talk about the eating disorder she had in college, a #hurdlemoment that briefly shifted her relationship with what she put in her body. We also rap about how she leaned into the grind of start-up life the most when she was going through a divorce, and the best way to handle someone who approaches a situation with anger.
SOCIAL
@splendidspoon
@niccent
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

No. No. No. No. No.
Feels good, doesn't it? There's so much power of owning your no. Fact: Saying "no" more means that you accept that you are in the driver's seat of your own life. But why is it so hard to use this little, two-letter word? In today's #hurdlemoment, I'm talking about how to get comfortable with turning things down—and even how to make using it a little bit easier.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate

The moment you start talking with Don Saladino, you’ll feel as though you’ve known him for years. It’s no wonder why big-name celebrities like Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, and Scarlett Johansson have turned to him to get in stellar shape leading up to major movie roles. Owner of New York gym Drive 495, the trainer may be known now for his A-list clientele as well as his stellar physique, but the frequent magazine cover model hasn’t always been in high demand. In episode 64, we chat about how he got his start fresh out of college by walking into big box gyms and asking for jobs, as well as the numerous #hurdlemoments he faced building his brand. He tells me about when he had to completely pivot his business model after the 2008 financial crisis and the complications of losing his apartment to Hurricane Sandy in 2012. We also chat about the attention he pays to his diet, what it’s like to have a no. 1 selling app in Apple's App Store, and how he helped his good friend get “upper abs” in only two weeks.
SOCIAL
@donsaladino
@drive_clubs
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Man, is it hot out there. This week, I’m bringing Nike+ Run coach and ultramarathoner Jes Woods to hang with me for #hurdlemoment and chat about safe summer running. We offer up the tips you need to stay safe on even the most humid days, ranging from hydration best-practices to smarter pacing strategies.
SOCIAL
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
@jeslynnyc
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | New women’s line is live, and I’m obsessed with their Walker Crop (but really, I have it in three colors). NYC local? Click to be kept in the loop on WOLACO Wednesday, their weekly free workout series.

On any given day, you might find Jes Woods running 100+ miles in one fell swoop. But not all that long ago the Nike running coach and ultra marathoner was working full time at NBC as a project engineer. In episode 63, we talk about the opportunity that came her way to turn her passion for running into more of a full-time gig, her big goals as a coach for the years to come, and what it’s really like to run for 27 hours straight. Yup … 27 hours! She also offers up some must-hear advice for new runners on how to start and stay with the sport, and the biggest tip she’d offer anyone who wants to make a major career pivot.
SOCIAL
@jeslynnyc
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Happiness is how you feel about yourself when you’re by yourself. It’s not something that should hinge on how someone else shows up for you or likes on social media. You have the opportunity every day to do things that make you a better you, a happier you, a person that you are proud of. I’m talking all about this on today’s #hurdlemoment, and I’m offering up an essential, list-making exercise that will help you get out of your own way on the path toward a happier, healthier self.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
WOLACO | New women’s line is live, and I’m obsessed with their Walker Crop (but really, I have it in three colors). NYC local? Click to be kept in the loop on WOLACO Wednesday, their weekly free workout series.

“The Gifted”, “Big Hero 6”, “Gotham”. On the big screen, Jamie Chung is a stunner. And in person? Well, she’s one of the most delightful, refreshing people I’ve met over the past few years. During a recent Eddie Bauer trip to Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado, I sat down with the California-born actress in a small cabin and we rapped about everything from the crazy way she landed on MTV’s The Real World to the hardships of auditioning for big roles after her stint on reality TV. In episode 62, she tells me all about eliminating self doubt, and the fun, active way she chooses to relax with her husband—far, far away from the cameras.
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@jamiejchung
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

“All it takes is all you’ve got.” “You didn’t come this far to only come this far.” We all have phrases or quotes we look to when times get tough. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I’m sharing my go-to words of wisdom for the hardest days, as well as tips for choosing the right mantra and how you can use positive words effectively to level up in every aspect of your life.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate

Confession: I didn’t know a thing about skincare until give-or-take age 30. I’ve never been the kind of person who thought pricey facials or luxury serums and masks were worth the money. Michael Pollack and Adam Ross made Heyday for people like me. Billed as a destination for “skincare for every day, not just spa days,” their seven New York and west coast locations are a more affordable option for quick skincare treatments. Leading up to their first NYC location in 2015, Ross went through a #hurdlemoment, hanging up his business suits and leaving behind a super lucrative-yet-personally-unfulfilling job in investment banking. He met Michael, realized they had the chemistry to build something great together, and the rest is history. In episode 61, we have a blast chatting about everything from the two essentials all newbies must do for their face, to the most significant learning experience Pollack faced as a startup (FYI: his sewing skills helped). Plus: Ross offers up his must-have diagramming technique for being more productive throughout your day.
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@heydayskincare
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

This past weekend, I ran after a goal (literally) of conquering a mile in under 6 minutes. Spoiler alert: I ran it in 6:07. Rather than dwell on the negatives, I'm taking this race as an opportunity to reflect on the concept of failure. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I dig into the idea that every failure exists to teach us something great. In reality, the only people who never fail are those that don’t try at all.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate

If you ask George Foreman III what it’s like to grow up with a two-time heavyweight champion as a dad, he’s pretty humble about it—because that’s all he’s ever known. Graduating with a degree in business administration from Rice University, Foreman went on to preside over his dad’s business, traveling the world meeting celebrities and managing contracts. Amidst all the glamour and chaos, he came face to face with his #hurdlemoment. Standing at 6’5’’ and weighing in at more than 280 pounds, he realized he wasn’t happy in his corner of the world, going as far as to shut himself in a hotel room for three days. Then, he made the jump into boxing himself. After a year of training, Foreman stepped into the ring for his first fight weighing in at 231 pounds. He’d go on to have an undefeated professional boxing career that ended in 2012, a year before he opened the first EverybodyFights in Boston. In episode 60, we chat about everything from depression and the scary side of entrepreneurship to his goals for expanding EverybodyFights dramatically by 2021.
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@georgeforman3
@everybodyfights
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

About 0.5 percent of the U.S. population runs a full marathon. Zero. Point. Five. Which means that if you’re listening to this week’s #hurdlemoment and you’ve either decided to run a marathon or you’re considering it, that’s pretty rad. Seven marathons down, I’m now a certified run coach with a fair share of experience under my belt. I’ve been getting loads of questions about the process, so this week I’m offering up 7 essential things every marathoner should know heading into a new training cycle. Spoiler alert: things are going to go wrong, and you’re going to be just fine.
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@emilyabbate

The FIFA Women's World Cup starts this week (!!) so it felt like an appropriate time to share my conversation with U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team co-captain Alex Morgan. On episode 59, the California native and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover star talks me through what it’s like coming back from devastating injury, and she shares what it’s like to serve as such an outstanding role model for so many across the globe. Special thanks to Secret for making this conversation possible, thanks to their #allstrengthnosweat campaign.
SOCIAL@alexmorgan13@uswnt@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Sometimes we all need to take a step back and evaluate. Feel like you’re stressed lately? Is something missing? Are you constantly frustrated? Hey, I’ve been there. One way to feel better: analyzing and committing to your priorities. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I chat about Health-Ade CEO Daina Trout’s “bucket theory” (originally discussed in episode 49), and offer up a simple, 15-minute strategy to living every day with intention. Good news: By the end of this episode, you’ll be checking something off your to-do list that’s been there for way too long.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate

Kelly Ripa. Alicia Keys. Karlie Kloss. The powerhouse behind dance based cardio fitness and wellness brand AKT, celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser has some pretty impressive clientele. These days, she's on the brink of opening 300 new studios nationwide, but she’s overcome a lot of hurdles to get here. In episode 58, she tells me about her pivot into the fitness industry after an impressive career as a professional dancer, and how one of her first teaching jobs landed her in the hospital. She offers up must-hear advice about following your passions, tells me a hilarious story about her first time training one of her favorite A-listers, and isn’t afraid to get real about the hardships of building her business from the ground up.
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@theannakaiser
@theaktstudios
@hurdlepodcast
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Invest in yourself. Let the past be the past. Silence is golden. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I’m offering up a little bit of wisdom in honor of my June 2 birthday. Cue 30 different lessons I learned by the end of my thirtieth year. FYI: I don’t have all the answers (and never will), but something tells me you may want to have a notepad handy.
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@emilyabbate

He was given a 30 percent chance of living. Suffering burns to 75 percent of his body, this was nothing that Omar “Crispy” Avila imagined when he joined the U.S. Army as an infantryman in 2004. On May 14, 2007, his life forever changed when his vehicle drove over a 200-pound, deeply-buried IED. In episode 57, the Purple Heart recipient gives the intense details of that experience and talks about how he came back from the unthinkable losing his right leg in the process, not only surviving—but thriving—as a Paralympic powerlifter and public speaker. He tells me about finding fitness at the right time in his life, leaving behind some bad influences and embracing a community that he’s so thankful to be a part of. On this Memorial Day, I’m grateful for my time with Omar, thankful for both his sacrifice in honor of our country and the other service members across the U.S.
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

I knew absolutely nothing about podcasts when I decided that I wanted to create one. It’s been a wild ride, but I’d like to think that after 18 months of recording, I know a thing or two about starting one of these from scratch. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I share some insight into exactly what being a podcaster entails, including the total time commitment, equipment I use, and how to get your show on popular platforms like iTunes and Spotify. Fact is, you only get to be a beginner once—but if you do it right, once is enough.
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Spend 5 minutes with Sjana Elise Earp, and it’ll feel as though she’s your new best friend. The warm, welcoming yogi brings her kind, bubbly personality to her more-than 1.6 million Instagram followers daily. But life hasn’t always been sun salutations and smiles. She had a really tough time as a teenager growing up in at home in Australia. From the outside looking in, things seemed idyllic, but she was dealing with severe depression that got so bad by age 16, that she even attempted suicide. In episode 56, we talk about the #hurdlemoment that landed her in the hospital, how she got the help she needed to deal with the disease, and soon leaned into journaling and moving her body to move forward. Earp tells me about how yoga helped save her from depression, we chat imposter syndrome, and she confesses how she shifted her relationship with social media from obsessive to healthy (spoiler: she still reads all her comments).
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Sometimes, hitting a workout feels great. Other times, it feels like climbing Mount Everest. I’ve come a long way from my time despising fitness back in college, now finding some way to move my body every single day. For the moments that feel hard, use these motivational strategies to get you going.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate

Chat with Kenny Santucci and you’ll immediately realize a few things: he’s clearly from Jersey, got an affinity for fitness, and a no BS sort of guy. These days, the former reality star is spending his days coaching and running operations at Solace, a New York City gym offering everything from CrossFit to yoga classes. But just over 15 years ago, as a high school freshman, Santucci tipped the scale at over 225 pounds. In episode 55, we talk about how picking up wrestling helped him shed the weight and develop some essential confidence, which propelled him all the way to traveling the world for MTV. We talk about the post-filming #hurdlemoment that had Santucci living out of his car, the recent family struggles that have shaped him into being a better son, friend, and business partner, and how he’s managed to turn his passions into his full-time, dream career.
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

You can be whoever you want to be if you’re willing to put in the work. And while being your own boss can be a blast, it also comes with a fair share of challenges. For the past couple years, I’ve been building a brand from the ground up and learning what it truly means to be an entrepreneur. I don’t have all of the answers and often feel like I’m totally winging this thing, but I’ve learned a TON in the process. In this week’s #hurdlemoment, I’m chatting the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and offer a few smart strategies for starting something from scratch.
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@emilyabbate

Let me tell you: Leila Janah is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She’s compassionate, bold, and a total powerhouse leading up two large (very different) companies, united by a common social mission to end global poverty by giving work to people in need. As a busy founder and CEO, she’s under intense stress all the time. In 2017, she logged nearly 500,000 miles and 44 days (!!) in the air. Then, an unexpected #hurdlemoment happened. She was at a conference in Helsinki that December when she felt a pain in her abdomen and was rushed to the ER. Doctors told her if she had not had an emergency surgery, she would have died. Post-surgery, she developed an infection, was hospitalized for two weeks, and once she was out—leaned into her relationships and love for kite surfing to help her recover.
In episode 54, she gives some insight as to what life’s like in some of the world’s poorest countries, and we chat about how she manages it all while making time for her most valuable relationships. Emily’s note: since recording episode, Leila announced that she has a rare but treatable form of cancer called epithelioid sarcoma. Please, send Leila your well-wishes and support on Instagram (@leilajanah).
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

We all have this idea in our head of what it’s going to take to be happy. Maybe it’s a dream apartment, that perfect job, or ideal partner. But the truth is that happiness starts from within. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I share my six tried-and-true habits for happier living—some of which have gotten me through even my toughest days. Make sure to shoot me a DM or an email to emily@hurdle.us and let me know what yours are, too!
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When Paddy Spence lost his brother unexpectedly in 1995, his entire world changed. He pivoted jobs, decided to give up sugar (and hasn’t looked back since), and re-evaluated the “important” things in life. In episode 53, the Zevia CEO talks about this #hurdlemoment’s drastic impact on his wellbeing, the research on diet soda consumption in the U.S., and we swap stories about endurance racing (spoiler alert: his are a tad more intense than mine).
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

The beginning of 2019 was a little rough for me. To everyone else, it looked like I was living my best life. Traveling from Spain and Paris to Austin and Los Angeles; working hard and living it up. I was struggling. Being on-the-go constantly made it hard for me to keep up with my healthy habits, and I fell into somewhat of a rut. As a result, I realized in early March that I wasn’t proud of how I was talking to myself.
In today's #hurdlemoment, I open up about that struggle and how I got through it. I share with you the four strategies I used to shift the dialogue, eliminate negative self talk, and get back to being the Emily that I love. The Emily that’s proud of the woman she’s become, and accepts that every day is a work in progress.
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Not all that long ago, CrossFit’s “Fittest Woman On Earth” wasn’t working out at all. In 2011, she was enrolled in the nursing program at Queensland University of Technology, and felt as though she was in a total rut. “I had gained weight, I didn’t feel like I was doing what I wanted to do.” In episode 52, I sit down with Tia-Clair Toomey for a refreshingly honest conversation about her rise to the top of one of the most fascinating sports there is (I might be a little biased). The Australian-born Reebok athlete tells me about the #hurdlemoment that had her depressed, and how getting into CrossFit helped her get through it. We talk diet, a typical day of training, and get real vulnerable about managing expectations and going after life’s biggest challenges. Plus: her trip to the Olympics, how to handle being a beginner, and just wait until you hear how much this woman can deadlift.
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

We all have 24 hours in a day (including Beyoncé). It’s normal to wonder how you can make the most of them. Ever since embracing life as a freelance journalist and solopreneur at the beginning of 2017, I’ve homed in on certain strategies to squeeze out every ounce of productivity from the moment I wake up in the morning until my head hits the pillow at night. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I share my seven strategies to being more productive. Grab a pen and paper (or get your fingers ready) for a few notes, these will help you maximize your time and make room for the things that matter.
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@emilyabbate

Happy Marathon Monday! If you’ve never heard of running legend Kathrine Switzer, then you’re in for a treat. Not only because she has a stellar 2:51:37 marathon PR (for comparison, I ran my first HALF marathon in 2:43:33). In 1967, the Syracuse University student became the first woman to ever run the Boston Marathon as a registered entrant. In her #hurdlemoment—now a photo seen around the world—race officials tried to tackle her to get her to drop out, not wanting a woman in their race. When she crossed the finish line that day, she made history. In episode 51, we talk about the chaos of the 1967 Boston Marathon and how she even got a bib to begin with, how she felt when women were finally admitted into the race in 1972, and what it was like to run the same course 50 years later in 2017. Plus: SO. MUCH. INSPO. Trust me, this is one you don’t want to miss.
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@261fearless
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Today, I’m a certified run coach and seven-time marathoner. But not too long ago, I could barely run a mile without wanting to pass out. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I share my tried-and-true tips on how to start running—and stay running. I totally understand why you might feel intimidated. Picking up any new hobby can definitely feel overwhelming. The good news? With the right attitude, you too will be crushing morning miles in no time.
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@hurdlepodcast

Listening to Joe Holder talk is fascinating. Not necessarily because of the vocabulary that he uses—which is admittedly impressive—but because he’s so darn knowledgeable about his craft. A health and wellness consultant based in New York City who regularly works with major brands like Nike, Whoop, and Smart Water, the New Jersey-born trainer is constantly studying to better his performance—both in and out of the gym. In episode 50 (!!), the former college football player tells me about how breaking his leg during his senior year at the University of Pennsylvania became the trying #hurdlemoment that shaped his personal health philosophy called the Ocho System. He also discusses the pressure he feels working regularly with A-listers, the way emotions impact our food choices, and why 2019 is the year of “strategic laziness.”
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Mornings are pretty polarizing, right? Either you love them and fully embrace the phrase “the early bird gets the worm,” or you’re more of a snooze button enthusiast. If you’re the latter, you may want to reconsider your daily kickoff, and here’s why: Research shows that morning people are more proactive, happier, and more consistent with their workout routines. In today’s episode, I’m answering the most popular question I see in my DMs: How do I become a morning person, too? Good news! This 5:32 a.m. alarm-setter has got the hacks you need to become a successful earlier riser. Oh, and FYI future morning people: you’re going to need a fresh notebook and some willpower (a stellar sweat-friendly playlist won’t hurt, either).
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@hurdlepodcast

Seven years ago, Daina Trout, her husband, and her best friend launched Health-Ade with $600 in their pocket. Today, more than 120,000 bottles of the brand’s 14 flavors (with five more to launch this year) are brewed every single day and shipped to 20,000+ stores around the country. In episode 49, Trout tells me about the difficulties they experienced building the business from the ground up and the 2014 #hurdlemoment where she nearly died in a refrigerated truck accident—an experience that taught her the true value of self love and compassion. She also educates me on SCOBYs, gives me the lowdown on her “bucket theory,” and explains how teaming up with a personal trainer forever changed her life for the better.
SOCIAL
@dainatrout
@healthade
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

No one has the perfect life, but you have the opportunity (key word: “opportunity”) to get pretty darn close. In #hurdlemoment—my new bite-size series launching today—I offer easy-to-digest tips and strategies to get over the speed bumps we face on the regular. The goal of this brand new Hurdle offering? Give #hurdlers a little motivation every Wednesday, in the form of a quickie episode, complete with actionable advice, techniques, and strategies. Some of these weekly segments will be solo-casts, and others may feature guests.
In the first #hurdlemoment, I’ll be sharing a bit about a list-making exercise I did last year that helped me focus in on the things I enjoy and stop doing a lot of the things I don’t. After listening, make sure to shoot me snapshots of your lists, and tag Hurdle on Instagram so we can get this conversation going. And check back every Wednesday for a new #hurdlemoment!
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@hurdlepodcast

If you want to build your booty, Bec Donlan is your girl. After relocating to the U.S. from Australia six years ago, the personal trainer built a name for herself as the designer of derrieres with a splash of fun (she sells her own loop resistance bands at her website). In 2017, the self-proclaimed “cakemaker” was teaching up to five group fitness classes and 45 personal training clients a week when she hit a #hurdlemoment that sidelined her: back-to-back injuries including a broken foot and a bulging disc in her back—plus a little finger-slicing knife accident. That’s when she leaned into CBD for pain management. In episode 48, the entrepreneur talks about building her edibles brand Go Basic from the ground up, she spills what’s really inside their highly Instagrammable chocolates, and gets real about the struggle behind being on the injured list.
SOCIAL@sweatwithbec@gobasic@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbate
OFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Jeff Provenzano studied at New York City’s School of Visual Arts, but the last thing he wanted to do after college was get a job in graphic design. After taking a break from the books and tackling his first tandem jump with friends, he was absolutely hooked. In episode 47, we talk about the #hurdlemoment he faced post-grad, diving head first into his passions (pun intended), relocating to Arizona and buying a trailer to work at the no. 1 skydive school in the country. More than 20,000 jumps later, he’s one of the pioneers of the high-speed, high-stakes skydiving discipline of swooping and just can’t get enough. We chat about how he hooked up with Red Bull Air Force, what it’s like to train government agents, and the insane jump he did landing on a barge in the Hudson River.
SOCIAL@jeffprovenzano@redbullairforce@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbate
OFFERSATHLETICS GREENS | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Denyelle Bruno was born to stand out. The California native realized a couple of life-shaking things in her teen years: that she was a lesbian and had natural passion for leadership. Today, the President and CEO of fast-casual favorite Tender Greens has a remarkable resume that includes impressive gigs at big brands like Peet's Coffee and Tea, Macy's, Apple, and Drybar. In episode 46, Denyelle talks with me about owning her “executive presence,” something she was heavily criticized for throughout her rise to the top, and the ah-hah moment that changed her life forever when she was running around a lake in Oakland. With nuggets of wisdom like “it’s the things that make you stand out that make you successful, not the things that make you fit in,” it’s no wonder that I walked away from our conversation in Los Angeles with goosebumps.
SOCIAL@denyellebruno@tendergreens@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.
Jaybird | Head to jaybirdsport.com to get 20 percent off the new RUN XT True Wireless headphones and free shipping through the end of March with code “HURDLE” at checkout.

The second you meet bubbly personal trainer and Training Mate founder Luke Milton, you’ll want to be his best friend. It’s no wonder he attracts great celebrity clientele like Khloe Kardashian, Elle McPherson, Rachel McAdams, and Teri Hatcher. One night in 2011, the former Australian professional rugby player was working late when he was involved in a serious hit and run car accident. It landed him in the hospital, temporarily unable to walk. This frightening #hurdlemoment made him reevaluate his life and goals. Soon after, he proposed to his wife (she said yes!) and the couple relocated to the United States where he would open his first studio. In episode 45, the E! Revenge Body star talks to me about setting a solid foundation for better health and shares his biggest regret in launching his company.
SOCIAL
@milts1
@trainingmate
@revengebody
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

In 2015, Rachel Drori was hangry. Working at Gilt Groupe, she didn’t have enough time to recipe plan and cook healthy meals every single day. Come 3 p.m., she’d grab whatever was available for convenience sake—like a bar or trail mix—instead of putting good, clean food into her body. She felt totally depleted, and to make matters worse, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Hashimito’s disease.
In episode 44, she talks to me about this #hurdlemoment which encouraged her to start smart meal prepping and eating healthier, enabling her to manage her disease, forgo prescription medication, and concept a brand new company. Today, farm-frozen favorite Daily Harvest has expanded to more than 50 recipes including smoothies, harvest bowls, oat bowls, chia bowls, soups, activated lattes, and cookies (yes, please). Rachel dishes on the truth behind the fruits and vegetables you see in the grocery store, how she manages to run a 100-person company while raising her two boys, and explains what a “shiggle” is.
SOCIAL
@dailyharvest
@racheldrori
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.
Headspace | Head to heaspace.com/hurdle to get 30-day free trial of the entire Headspace library, no code necessary.
Daily Harvest | Head to daily-harvest.com to get $25 off your first box using the code “HURDLE” at checkout.

There’s no better way to describe Alex Williamson than kind. The Chief Brand Officer at Bumble has had more than her fair share of #hurdlemoments. From dealing with her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis to finding out she had fibromyalgia in her early 20s, these challenges have help shape her into the woman she is today. Williamson even tells me about a recent divorce that drove her to try a digital detox that forever changed her for the better. In episode 43, she shares what it’s like being at the helm of a tech company which now boasts more than 50 million users in over 150 countries. We get super vulnerable, talking about powering through persistent pain, the power of positive thinking, and that sometimes—it’s OK to go looking for a “quick swipe.”
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Today, GT Dave is often referred to as the “king of kombucha.” But in late 1994, he was brewing small batches of the fermented tea in his parents’ kitchen. At the time, his mom was diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of breast cancer. When she healed, she shared with doctors that she’d been drinking her son’s very pungent, homemade tea that experts said helped her fight the battle. As a teenager, GT became one of the first people to mass market the beverage. Today, kombucha sales exceed $600 million globally according to Inc., and GT’s commands about half of that. In episode 42, the California native talks to me about everything from gut health to changing food trends, and confesses just how much tea he’s drinking every single day. Spoiler alert: It’s a lot.
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

At age 15, Juice Press founder Marcus Antebi entered a 3-month drug rehab program, and he’s been sober ever since. In episode 41, the Brooklyn native tells me about how he leaned into athletic interests like skydiving and Muay Thai in his young adulthood and became really focused on the quality of the foods he was putting into his body. In 2010, the vegetarian opened up the first Juice Press in the East Village—arguably the world’s largest organic, plant-based grab-and-go health food provider. Today, Marcus and Juice Press CEO Michael Karsch have 89 locations in seven different states. We chat about how scary it was expanding beyond that first shop, the one thing you need to cut out from your diet today, and how they decide what stays and goes on the 120+ item menu.
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.
Headspace | Head to heaspace.com/hurdle to get 30-day free trial of the entire Headspace library, no code necessary.

Forty. Episodes (!!!). This live pod comes from a discussion I had last week in collaboration with WeWork Labs, featuring past Hurdlers Adam Kallen of Jane Motorcycles, Jessy Dover of Dagne Dover, and Marah Lidey and Naomi Hirabayashi of Shine. We laughed a lot, and we talked about a lot of great stuff—from what it means to live a balanced lifestyle (and what that looks like for busy entrepreneurs) to really rad book suggestions and what “joy” is all about.
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@wework
@shinetext
@janemotorcycles
@adam_janemoto
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OFFERS
SHINE | Head to shinetext.com/hurdle to get 50 percent off a premium plan.
DAGNER DOVER | Head to dagnedover.com and use the code “HURDLE20” at checkout for 20 percent off your purchase, now through February 31, 2019.

To say that Carolyn Kylstra has had an impressive career path as a journalist would be a total understatement. From stints at Men’s Health and Cosmopolitan to Women’s Health and BuzzFeed, now she’s the editor-in-chief of SELF at Condé Nast. But her rise to the top wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. In her #hurdlemoment, the new mom shares that she found out she was pregnant around the same time her entire career was about to shift, and how she managed to keep it together despite abundant—sometimes overwhelming—amounts of responsibility (plus, morning sickness). In episode 39, we talk about everything from the scary climate of the publishing industry to how she manages to take time for herself. She also tells me an insane story about how she almost died from a tick bite and offers up a ton of insight about what it means to be “healthy,” no matter what size you are.
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@selfmagazine
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

When we feel like we’re waiting for instructions (gimme a sign!) we can forget our power. That’s just one example of the you-got-this texts that more than 2 million Shine users receive on a daily basis. App co-founders Marah Lidey and Naomi Hirabayashi met working at a non-profit just over 8 years ago, and they immediately hit it off. Becoming fast friends, the duo leaned into each other to get through #hurdlemoments like speed bumps in their relationships and hard-to-have conversations at the office. In 2016, they left their jobs to focus on Shine full-time, raised millions of dollars in funding, and began to grow their team. In episode 38, we talk about the challenges they’ve faced as women of color co-founders and they offer-up best-practice tips on how to silence your inner critic.
SOCIAL@shinetext@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbate
OFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Special episode alert! Live from the Tory Burch store on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, I’m sitting down with Nichelle Hines—the chief ride officer at Cycle House—and Sarah Larson Levey, the founder and CEO of Y7 Studio. This conversation is about as real as it gets. Hines shares how the writer’s strike of 2008 turned her life upside down and lead her down a path she never expected, and Sarah dishes on what it was like in the early days of creating her hip-hop yoga empire alongside her husband. In episode 37, talk about everything from our worst days as entrepreneurs (negative Yelp reviews, anyone?) to the best lessons we’ve learned with a side of sweat, sharing a bunch of laughs and a few tears along the way. This is one you don’t want to miss.
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OFFERS
TORY SPORT | Head to torysport.com/ and get 20 percent off your purchase using the code “HURDLE20” at checkout.

In 2013, the now-CEO was working as a consultant — tired, traveling constantly, and 40 pounds overweight. Fitness wasn’t a priority for him because—in his words—it was hard to make it a priority. The catch: he wanted to be healthier. In his #hurdlemoment, Ethan dropped 40 pounds by building the first version of Aaptiv, which brings top-level digital-only, audio-based training sessions with personal trainers right to your headphones. In episode 36, the founder tells me hilarious stories about the early days of Aaptiv, posing as a surveyor at the gym asking strangers for feedback. He offers essential advice for anyone trying to adopt a new fitness routine and gives the lowdown on his 6 a.m. habit that makes him more productive throughout his entire day.
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@aaptiv
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OFFERS
Headspace | Head to headspace.com/hurdle to get 30 days of the entire Headspace library for free.
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.
Aaptiv | Enter code “HURDLE” at checkout for a 7-day free trial, then 30 percent off an annual Aaptiv membership ($99.99 to $69.99).

Ever since she was a young girl, Ali Feller had her heart set on working in the publishing industry. Not just any job in publishing, though: Editor-in-chief of a teen dance magazine, perfect for someone who grew up on stage. By 25 (!!) she landed it. Right off the bat, she was working crazy hours, in endless meetings, on set at photoshoot after photoshoot living that New York City grind life that I know oh so well myself. Around that same time, she fell in love with running, tackling her first marathon. But soon, the stress became too much. Battling Crohn’s disease, Ali realized in her #hurdlemoment that she needed to step away from her dream job to get better and rediscover her purpose. In episode 35, we talk all about the transition that lead her to creating the Ali on the Run Show podcast, how Crohn’s has impacted her life, what it’s like to be a new mom to her beautiful babygirl Annie, and commiserate over the self-inflicted pressures (and benefits!) of being your own boss.
SOCIAL
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

In his early 20s, Mark Hunter was known as a thriving photographer nicknamed “The Cobra Snake”. He was a fixture in the New York and L.A. party scenes, traveling all over the country and world to snap everyone from Kings of Leon to Lindsay Lohan. Known for his wacky outfits and great aesthetic, his #hurdlemoment coincided with the rise of Instagram. With social media—as he puts it—everyone’s a photographer in their own right. Mark knew he needed to pivot if he wanted to stay relevant and continue to build his brand. He stopped going to so many parties, began advertising free group hikes on a new Instagram account (@cobrafitnessclub), and now he’s making friends and having fun taking photos with a side of sweat. In episode 33, he shares how hiking Runyon Canyon has changed his life forever, his super approachable, all-inclusive view on fitness, and what it’s like to be good friends with Steve Aoki.
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@cobrafitnessclub
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OFFERS
Kaari Foods | Head to kaarifoods.com/ to get 15 percent off your purchase using the code “HURDLE” at checkout.

Ryan Flaherty’s got, from my point of view, one of the most awesome jobs in the world. The Senior Director of Performance at Nike spends his days doing everything from crafting content for the Nike Training Club app, editing scripts for Nike’s podcast Trained, programming workouts for big-name athletes including Serena Williams, sitting on the Nike Performance Council, and so much more. It’s crazy that a much younger Ryan never envisioned this for himself. Growing up as an athlete, he had the opportunity to play football professionally when his third ACL injury sidelined him for good. What he learned through the rehab process was that he could’ve prevented what happened if he trained smarter. At that point, a #hurdlemoment for sure, he felt a calling to help other athletes avoid injuries like his. In episode 32, Ryan’s shares essential tips for building a better body, improving speed, and finding career success. We also dive into the importance of saying no and having grit.
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SOCIAL
@ryanjflaherty
@nike
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.

Break-ups suck. Arguably, break-ups suck even more when you’re an entrepreneur working tirelessly to launch your own business. Jessy Dover was grinding long days with her two Dagne Dover co-founders, when she returned one night from a trip to the apartment she shared with her then-boyfriend of more than 3 years to see her stuff packed up in the corner and him asking her to leave. It was a #hurdlemoment that rocked her world. Immediately, she moved in with her best friend and leaned into working out, teary-eyed rides at SoulCycle, and eating better to slowly get through the emotional fog. Today, her functional bag company is thriving at just over 5 years old, largely in part because of her indomitable will to push forward when the going gets tough. In episode 31, we swap stories about relationships past, Jessy admits to a time when she was working out too much, and she offers great, actionable advice to anyone hoping to build a brand from scratch."
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SOCIAL
@jessy_dover
@dagnedover
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.
Dagne Dover | Use code HURDLE20 for 20 percent off your purchase at dagnedover.com through January 31, 2019.

It was only a matter of time until Hurdle had a hurdler (of sorts) on the podcast. Colleen Quigley didn’t grow up dreaming of going to the Olympics to compete in the steeple chase. After joining the track team her freshman year of high school and finding her fast, the St. Louis native geared up for a collegiate running career at Florida State University that would eventually lead her to turn pro as a Nike-sponsored athlete. In the year prior to the 2016 Summer Games, Quigley dealt with a major #hurdlemoment—a nasty hamstring injury—that almost derailed her from hitting the track in Rio. In episode 30, I sit down with the Bowerman Babe to chat her ever-evolving dreams, a brief stint in modeling, and how it feels to be a role model for young athletes around the world.
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@steeple_squigs
@bowermantc
@hurdlepodcast

A Christmas morning car accident was the #hurdlemoment that changed Andy Puddicombe’s life forever. Looking to process sudden loss, he went to Asia to study as a Buddhist monk. After 10 years of practice, Puddicombe wanted to help others understand the benefits of meditation. That’s when he met co-founder Rich Pierson, and Headspace was born. What once started as an events company, Headspace now has more than 30 million users and 1 million paid subscribers. In episode 30, we dive into the endless benefits of meditation, how to shift our perspective on failure in life, the exciting newly developed Headspace Health programming coming in 2020, and finish things off with an easy, quick meditation perfect for beginners. —
@headspace
@andypuddicombe
@hurdlepodcast

Take a quick peak at Robin Arzon’s Instagram, @robinnyc. It’s hard to imagine a time when activity wasn’t a part of her everyday life. After a near-death experience at age 20 when Arzon was held hostage at gunpoint in New York City’s East Village, she leaned into movement and running for the first time to help her process the trauma. Soon enough, the then-lawyer turned away from her conventional 9-to-5 with hopes to turn her passion for sweat into her career. That’s when she found Peloton. Today, she’s the brand’s Vice President of Fitness Programing and Head Instructor, also author of the 2016 book Shut Up and Run, and a 26-time marathoner. In episode 28, the Adidas global brand ambassador gets honest about how tough times have shaped her perspective and helped her home in on her inner swagger. She also offers essential, actionable advice for runners of all levels on race day best practices and tips on how to take their stride to a whole new level.
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@robinnyc
@onepeloton
@hurdlepodcast

Listening to Kirsty Godso talk will ignite something awesome in you. Appropriate, since the Nike Master Trainer calls herself (and others who are willing to work hard to elevate the energy of everyone around them) a “pyro girl.” In episode 27 we talk about the #hurdlemoments she’s faced building her personal brand, including having to leave behind a major fitness project she created with Les Mills to put her faith in the swoosh. Also, how an injury brought her to tears inside an acupuncturists office, a red flag telling her she needed to temporarily turn down the intensity of her workouts and chill out. Godso offers beautiful insight on the importance of supporting others, a snapshot of her training style, and we laugh about how she’s going to hold ME accountable to my 2019 affirmations.
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@kirstygodso
@pyrogirls
@madeof_____
@hurdlepodcast

In just 8 years since their debut in 2010, On Running has become one of the fastest growing running shoe brands, now featured in more than 5,000 running specialty shops across the globe. In episode 26, live from Paragon Sports in New York City, co-founder Caspar Coppetti and I talk about the pressures that come with building an athletic company from the ground up, and how the brand’s cloud technology sets them apart from other huge contenders. We also dive into Coppetti’s #hurdlemoment, when a factory in China charged with manufacturing their shoes went bankrupt, and the necessary break he took after that fiasco to cycle throughout the Swiss Alps and get his mind right. Recorded the week of the 2018 New York City Marathon, Coppetti also shares motivational advice for new and veterans runners and the mantra that propels him to be better, both personally and in business.
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@on_running
@casparcoppetti
@paragonsports
@hurdlepodcast
Hurdle listeners! Special offer: ON is offering shoes and gear to the test for 30 days! Head on over to paragonsports.com, pick your favorite shoes or apparel pieces, and apply code “paragonhurdle” at checkout. Run in them for 30 days, put them through their paces, and if you love them—keep them. Not convinced, just send back for a full refund! Local to the NYC area? This also works at the Paragon store located at 18th and Broadway (just say it at the registers). Offer good until December 31, 2018.

Former Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick made the first version of the popular suspension trainer, TRX, during a deployment in 1997. The veteran went on to perfect his design, conquer Stanford business school, and eventually pile his savings into launching the company. But he faced a huge #hurdlemoment in 2010, when counterfeiters started to sell a rip-off of his product on Amazon. In episode 25, we talk about the legal battle that ensued to get those listings taken down, the way the TRX team regularly incorporates movement regularly at their San Francisco headquarters, and the advice he’d offer to anyone who feels like they’re starting at square one over and over again.
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@trxtraining
@randyhetrick
@hurdlepodcast

Neha Gandhi has quite the impressive resume. With editorial jobs at Seventeen, Harper’s Bazaar, and Refinery 29 under her belt, she was excited when the opportunity came her way to join the Girlboss team in mid-2017. The new COO/Editor-in-Chief title brought about a lot of change in her life, including a cross-country move to Los Angeles with her husband. In episode 24, Gandhi talks about how she leaned into routines including exercise and meditation to make the transition easier, and she offers up a ton of amazing, actionable advice for anyone ready to level-up in their career.
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@nehaintown
@girlboss
@hurdlepodcast

I sit down with past Hurdle guests Dr. Jason Wersland, Michael Chernow, and Dan Churchill for the second-ever Hurdle Live. We chat about everything from how to keep your health in mind when on the road to best practices for implementing mediation and recovery into your regular routine (plus, have a few laughs along the way).
Huge thank you to Hub Seventeen for hosting us, as well as the 11+ brands that donated door prizes (Headspace, Athletic Greens, Revere, Salthaus, Y7 Studio, ToneHouse, Lyons Den Power Yoga, Mile High Run Club, ReCOVER, Asics, TheraGun). Through ticket sales from the October 9th event, we were able to raise $1,200 for City Harvest.
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@drjasonwersland
@michaelchernow
@dan_churchill
@hurdlepodcast

Joey Gonzalez has what he likes to call a “CEO Cinderella story.” At first intimidated to walk through the doors of Barry’s Bootcamp soon after opening in the late 1990s, he was instantly hooked to how the popular boutique fitness class made him feel. Fast forward to the company’s 20-year anniversary this week, and the once-student-turned-instructor now sits in the CEO seat, grateful for all of the #hurdlemoments that he’s overcome along the way. In episode 22, Gonzalez tells me how things have changed over the past two decades of Barry’s, his tricks to shifting fear into focus, and the essential advice he’d offer anyone who feels intimidated by starting fresh with their fitness routine.
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@joeygonzalez
@barrysbootcamp
@hurdlepodcast

Having “co-founder of SoulCycle and Flywheel Sports” on your resume is kind of a big deal. This week, I sit down with Ruth Zukerman, Creative Director of boutique cycling favorite FlyWheel Sports. After her 1996 divorce, the former dancer and aerobics instructor felt lost and took to the Spin bike. Soon, she became an instructor and was approached by a rider about starting a company of their own—SoulCycle. In 2009, she left to start FlyWheel—which currently has more than 40 locations across the country. In episode 21, she explains why she still teaches classes despite her demanding schedule, and offers advice for making the hard calls in business. We close things out with a little visualization exercise that’ll have you ready to conquer any hurdle that comes your way.
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@flywheelsports
@ruth_flywheel
@hurdlepodcast

Before Hayden Slater started cult-favorite Pressed Juicery in the back of a small cupcake shop in West Los Angeles, he was a recent NYU graduate eating fast food all the time and felt totally drained by his 9 to 5. Cue a #hurdlemoment-worthy trip to Southeast Asia, complete with a 30-day juice cleanse, that ignited his passion for health and wellness, helped him lose 60 pounds, and inspired him to launch the juice company with two of his good friends. In episode 20, we chat about how Slater finds balance despite his hectic schedule, the time the health department shut down the business, and the craziest health trends out there (spoiler alert: leeches are involved).​​​​​​​
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@haydenslater
@pressedjuicery
@hurdlepodcast

Nicole Winhoffer’s helped A-listers like Stella McCartney and Madonna get in top shape. But she wasn’t always a personal trainer. As a teenager, Winhoffer was dancing on Broadway, living a life many only dream of. In episode 19, we talk about the #hurdlemoment that lead the Bronx native to a major career pivot. The NW Method creator shares where she draws her inspiration from, the must-hear advice that helps her navigate tough decisions, and her stance on unplugging and ditching technology to become better at business.
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@nicolewinhoffer
@hurdlepodcast
hurdle.us

You’ve seen basketballer Kyrie Irving reach for it courtside and CrossFit’s ‘Fittest Man on Earth’ Mathew Fraser use it in the gym. In episode 18, I sit down with TheraGun creator Dr. Jason Wersland, D.C., the creator of the crazy-looking tool made for muscle activation, recovery, and pain management. He shares with me the story behind his invention and his #hurdlemoment, a 2007 motorcycle accident that changed his life forever, sparking his quest to create an effective, portable treatment device for patients—including himself. We talk about what it’s like traveling the world educating others on the importance of muscle recovery and mobility, how his kids inspire him to be a better person, and share a few tears along the way.
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@theragun
@drjasonwersland
@hurdlepodcast

Khloe Kardashian. Jennifer Lopez. Sofia Vergara. As personal trainers go, Gunnar Peterson has a mega impressive roster of celebrity clientele—past and present. Also the Director of Strength and Endurance for the Los Angeles Lakers, Peterson knows a thing or two about hard work, time management, and the human body. In episode 17, I catch up with him while he’s visiting New York for Propel’s Co:Labs Fitness Festival. We talk about the unconventional way he got started in the health and fitness industry after college, how spending time at the gym helps him work through hard times, and the essential career advice he’s received from A-listers including Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone.
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@gunnarfitness
@hurdlepodcast

“You can be anything you want to be, whenever you want to be it,” Paralympic medalist and snowboard champ Amy Purdy told me last month in Colorado. A strong message coming from the double-leg amputee, who was given a 2 percent chance of living by doctors after contracting bacterial meningitis in 1999. Although the incident did cost her her legs, it certainly didn’t make her lose sight of her potential. In episode 16, we chat about the horror that surrounded that near death experience at age 19 and how its shaped her perspective for the better. Plus, she spills what it was like competing on Dancing With the Stars, how it felt standing on the Paralympic podium, and the remarkable advice she’d offer to anyone going through tough times of their own.
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@amypurdygirl
@hurdlepodcast

Some people hate spending time on the treadmill. And at one point, David Siik was one of them. But when the former college track athlete didn’t make the cut as a professional runner, he turned his passion into his career in an unexpected way by giving the hamster wheel a second thought. Soon enough, the Michigan native was pitching fitness giant Equinox a treadmill-based running program. And today? There are more than 200+ certified instructors for an interval class that Siik created called Precision Running. In episode 15, he talks about the #hurdlemoment that changed his life forever and offers essential advice for beginner and veteran runners alike.
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@davidsiik
@equinox
@hurdlepodcast

When champion marathoner and New York Times best-selling author Deena Kastor arrived in China for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, she was ready to crush the competition. But 3 miles into her race, the pro felt something snap in her right foot, causing her to fall to the ground and drop out. In episode 14, I travel to London to catch up with the American female record holder for the marathon and half-marathon. She tells me why she’s thankful for that devastating injury, the mental tricks that contribute to her outstanding 5:20/mile marathon pace, and essential advice to beginner runners—or anyone hoping to make a big comeback of their own.
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@deena8050
@hurdlepodcast

The second you meet Liz Plosser, you'll likely strategize exactly how to be her best friend. The editor-in-chief of Women's Health Magazine has got a can-do attitude that's contagious, exemplified by her early morning workouts (often found on her Instagram story) and outstanding career accomplishments alike. In episode 13, Plosser shares how a difficult time conceiving made her realize how important and powerful workouts and health rituals can be—especially in the darkest times. Spoiler: her and her husband now have three beautiful kids. We also chat about what it’s like being at the helm of major media brand, the lessons that running has taught her over the years, and her big-time career advice that you’ve gotta hear.
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@lizplosser
@womenshealthmag

Dan Churchill’s got an impressive resume: chef for Under Armour, published author, TV star, and founder of a soon-to-open New York City restaurant, Charley St. But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the Australian-born foodie. In episode 12, Churchill spills what happened during his #hurdlemoment—when his first full-time gig in the states didn’t work out—and how leaning into mindfulness meditation helped him find clarity and dramatically increase his productivity levels. Plus: essential health eating tips, three things you should always have in your refrigerator, and exactly what he cooked for Lindsey Vonn while she was competing in the Olympics.
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@dan_churchill
@charleyst
@hurdlepodcast

Candice Huffine has been breaking down barriers for years in the modeling industry. Landing magazine covers from Italian Vogue to Elle, the body positivity advocate never let fear or doubt stop her in her career. When her husband dared her to run a half-marathon at the end of 2015, she was forced to face a different type of challenge, embrace something she absolutely despised, and step outside her comfort zone. In episode 11, Huffine talks about the finish line #hurdlemoment that made her believe that absolutely anything is possible, what it really took to start her own activewear line, and offers empowering, feel-good advice for anyone who has ever questioned their own drive.
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@hurdlepodcast
@candicehuffine
@yourdaywon
@psyougotthis

Golden Harper grew up around running. Working at the running store his father opened in the Utah mountains from a young age, the track athlete and marathon fanatic was able to share his passion for the sport with customers of all experience levels. He also saw his fair share of clientele with severe foot problems. After years of studying body mechanics and exercise science in college, the entrepreneur manufactured a pair of sneakers that would stave off injury—the first pair of Altras. And Harper’s #hurdlemoment? That came right as he was taking a leap of faith to get the brand off the ground; a snowboard accident that left him in rough shape, temporarily unable to walk—nevertheless run. In episode 10, Harper shares how the experience made both him and his company stronger, and what exactly sets Altra apart from the other sneaker brands on the market.
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@altrarunning
@rungolden1
@hurdlepodcast

Almost 10 years ago, Whitney Tingle and Danielle DuBoise were both at their own self-described rock bottoms. Tingle, beside herself dealing with persistent cystic acne. DuBoise, in the hospital after years of yo-yo dieting finally caught up with her. The solution to both of their #hurdlemoments? Founding Sakara Life—a wellness company rooted in the belief that food is medicine, favorited by A-listers like Kate Hudson and Chrissy Teigen, and known for its ready-to-eat plant-based food delivery service. In episode nine, the duo tells all including how mood relates to what you eat, which foods are necessary for a healthy gut, and what it’s really like building a multi-million dollar company with a best friend.
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@sakaralife
@danielledubois
@whitneytingle
@hurdlepodcast

Chinae Alexander isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Something that could be a little unnerving when 138,000+ people are following her every move on social media. The self-proclaimed entrepreneur and undeniable female badass had a #hurdlemoment of her own after losing 70 pounds, realizing that weight loss didn’t guarantee happiness. In episode eight, she talks about the power of looking within, how she reads (and responds) to thousands of messages each week from total strangers, and how one landmark job rejection changed her life forever.
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@chinaealexander
@hurdlepodcast

This year, Barre3—a studio exercise program that blends ballet with yoga and pilates—celebrates its 10-year anniversary. In 2008, Sadie Lincoln, the CEO and founder, was immersed in the fitness industry, teaching step and cardio kickboxing classes, when she experienced her own #hurdlemoment. Reevaluating everything she thought she knew about wellness, the mother of two left her established job in San Francisco to move to Portland with her husband Chris and build the company from scratch. In episode seven, Lincoln shares how creating Barre3—boasting more than 125 locations worldwide—helped her learn the true meaning of balance.
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@sadielincoln
@barre3
@hurdlepodcast

Today, Adam Kallen owns a thriving brand called Jane Motorcycles based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. But 20 years ago, he was graduating law school by the skin of his teeth, overcoming a drug addiction, unsure of what good was out there for him in the world. In episode six, Kallen shares his journey to seek out help, and details how leaning into surfing helped him conquer his demons.
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@adam_janemoto
@janemotorcycles
@hurdlepodcast

When Sarah Levey and her husband Mason opened yoga hotspot Y7 Studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, back in 2013, they were simply looking to create a safe, judgement-free environment for flows. Fueled by hip-hop beats, candlelight, and infrared heat, Y7 Studio now has a cult following and nine locations (with many, many more on the way). In episode five, Levey shares how pushing self doubt to the side enabled her to take her business to the next level.
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@sarah_levey
@y7studio
@hurdlepodcast

When the co-founder of NYC favorite eatery The Meatball Shop was 23 years old, he was swinging bottles as a bartender at Frank Restaurant and living a life of debauchery (his words, not mine). When he replaced alcohol with doing great things for his body, leaning into Muay Thai and running, his entire world changed. Fast-forward 13 years, the restaurateur now adds founder of sustainable seafood spot Seamore's and co-founder of WellWell, an all-natural sports beverage, to his lengthy list of accomplishments. In episode four, Chernow shares the #hurdlemoment that lead him to become one of the most respected men in New York City's restaurant scene.

When Conde Nast’s Chief Digital Officer Fred Santarpia was a teenager, he was bullied endlessly. After a particularly harsh episode landed him through a glass window and in the hospital with glass in his legs, he knew something had to shift. So, he built a gym in his parents basement and started working out. Soon, he started to look differently. People were treating him differently. In Episode Three, Santarpia shares the #hurdlemoment that helped him gain essential confidence, ultimately leading him toward milestone career successes like co-founding video hosting service Vevo and leading digital strategy for one of the top media companies in the world.
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@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
@fredsantarpia

At age 18, now-Nike trainer and fitness model Alex Silver Fagan was swinging bottles at a night club in the lower east side. A visit to see family in Florida turned into her #hurdlemoment, an eye-opening realization that at 90 pounds, the New Jersey native needed to make a change. In Episode Two Alex shares how a stint in bikini body competitions helped her get strong, and a newfound passion for wellness paved the way for her bustling career in the fitness industry.

Today I’m a wellness writer and editor, certified personal trainer, run and Spin coach. But 10 years ago as a college freshman, I was drastically overweight. In April 2007, my #hurdlemoment had me in tears confronting the scale, staring obesity in the face. By learning how to reshape my relationship with food and exercise—and believing that I was worthy of my own investment—I was able to lose 70 pounds. In Episode One, I share my story and the lessons I learned to help me live a healthier, happier, more motivated life.